Dunkirk spirit

English

Rescued British troops gathered in a barge at Dunkirk

Etymology

The phrase came into use following the evacuation of allied troops across the English Channel by flotillas of pleasure boats, working barges and other civilian craft at the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

Dunkirk spirit (uncountable)

1. (UK, idiomatic) The spirit of the British public pulling together to overcome times of adversity.

Related terms

• Dunkirk jack